Longtime Park Road Staple To Close

WEST HARTFORD — Prospect Café, a neighborhood joint that's been a Park Road staple since 1965, will close its doors on Aug. 12.

"Prospect Café is really that neighborhood place to hang out," said Town Manager Ronald Van Winkle. "It's a shame to see it go."

Maureen Faenza, who owns the restaurant at 345 Park Road with her husband, Nick, said business has been slow.

"It is bittersweet for us, but the timing's right," she said. "We're looking forward to the next chapter."

The restaurant was opened by Angelo Faenza, Nick's cousin, 48 years ago. Angelo Faenza retired 11 years ago, he said.

Angelo Faenza is president of the Park Road Business Association and still owns the Prospect Café building and property.

He said he has many "bittersweet memories" of the restaurant, where he spent seven days a week for decades.

"I had 40 great years there, I had a lot of friends," Angelo Faenza said. "I enjoyed every minute of it."

Angelo Faenza and Richard Patrissi, the owner of Patrissi Garden Center who died in March, were "the heart of Park Road," Van Winkle said.

"You have those sort of things that are the fabric of the community," Van Winkle said. But the competition in West Hartford is tough, and the "life and death" of businesses is a natural part of the economy, he said.

Van Winkle lamented that the restaurant was closing before a possible development at the Sisters of St. Joseph convent across the street. A developer is proposing building hundreds of apartments there.

Angelo Faenza said the development would be a good thing for the property, which he may sell once the restaurant closes. He said he's already had several calls from potential buyers.